Delarioux

Chapter 2

-March 26, 1857 -

15 Years Earlier

It was a night not much different than any other night that the Opera had seen. There was a certain feeling of excited anxiousness that was buzzing about backstage. The dancers were huddled behind the curtain, little heads peeking out to see just how many people had showed up "just to see them". The singers were just now leaving their dressing rooms, having finished warming up for the show, and were scooting past the stagehands who were getting the last pieces of the set in place. The audience sat in anticipation as the Opera was introduced by the manager, and many opera goers whispered behind their playbills about how they thought the opera would turn out.

But none of it mattered, for high up, much too high to see with the naked eye, sat two little faces, half masked in black and white. Their eyes were alight with excitement, as it was their first opera. A third head poked out from the rafters, smaller than the other two, and scrunched up it's nose at what was holding the other two's attention.

"It's not that bad, David." Hugo turned to his younger brother, who was intent on hating the play before it even started.

"Nothing's happening!" He whined. Pointing down at the bare stage.

Erik's head poked out from behind his twin's.

"That's because it hasn't started yet!" he hissed, "now be quiet!"

David stuck out his tongue, Erik in turn did the same. Hugo rolled his eyes and turned to him.

"You aren't seriously arguing with a three year old are you?" he asked incredulously. "You're fourteen."

Erik shushed him, Hugo shushed him back while David spat at them both.

It would have gone on like that had Michael not put a stop to it.

"All of you hush!" He whispered, looking at them from under his fedora,

"You will wake her!" he gestured to the infant in his arms. It was a good thing she was asleep, or she would have hollered and cried all the way up there. Although they were too high up to be heard, she was still resting peacefully, and Michael wanted to keep it that way.

"Sorry," Erik whispered sheepishly and silently stuck his tongue out in the others direction, earning him a glare and an eye roll.

Michael pulled his hat back down over his face and joined the girl in slumber, having already seen this particular Opera.

The other three turned back towards the stage as the production started.

Erik leaned over towards Hugo and whispered, "I read that this play was about someone who sold his soul." he said spookily.

"Really?" Hugo questioned, "Well don't spoil anything."

"You can sell your soul?" David asked with wide eyes.

"What happens?"

Erik gave himself devil horns with his fingers, grinning wickedly.

"The devil eats it, and you yourself are thrown into hell, while a demon possesses your body." he cackled. Hugo snickered.

The two turned back towards the stage but David clambered over to his older brother.

"Michael," he shook the twenty-four year old's arm, "Michael,"

One of Michael's eyes popped open from behind his mask.

"What?" He asked groggily.

"Can the devil eat your soul?"